A Scandinavian film crew making a documentary last spring on support for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama captured McArthur Elementary School teacher Diatha Harris talking to her fifth-grade students about Obama and McCain.
When one girl said she was backing McCain because her parents were, Harris responded, "Oh Lord." She later called the war in Iraq "senseless" and told the girl that McCain planned to keep U.S. troops in Iraq for 100 years, if necessary.
"That means your daddy could stay in the military for another 100 years," Harris told the girl, who silently bit her lip.
Harris couldn't be reached Friday for comment.
School district officials learned of the video late Thursday and were investigating the matter to determine if any disciplinary action was warranted, spokeswoman Wanda McPhaul said.
"While neutral discussion of the political process is appropriate, at no time, particularly with elementary students, should a teacher infuse his (or) her political views into the discussion," Superintendent William Harrison said in a statement issued Friday. "Most disconcerting was the military slant that made its way into this discussion. We are a military community, serving over 15,000 military students and their families. We value the sacrifices, not only of the military parents but also those of their families.
"I was particularly disturbed to see the uncomfortable position in which our children were placed due to the inappropriate actions of one of our teachers," he said.
Officials discussed the matter with the girl and her parents, who said they weren't upset about the exchange with Harris, according to McPhaul. The parents said the girl had a good experience in Harris' class last year, she said.
- Reporter: Christi Lowe
- Photographer: Michael Joyner
- Web Editor: Matthew Burns
